If you already have an interest in information technology, are studying it or have chosen it as your career path, then getting into cybersecurity might be an interesting prospect. As we live in an increasingly digital age, the demand for professionals in this area is getting higher and not only that, but there’s an impressive potential to earn a really competitive salary too.
What kinds of work does a cybersecurity analyst carry out?
So, what does a cybersecurity analyst do as part of their job remit? It’s a varied role and one that entails tasks like planning and implementing security measures that will protect computer networks in companies. They’ll often be responsible for keeping up to date with threats and working on repairs and fixes when hacks occur. They may also have to develop and simulate security attacks to find any weaknesses in computer systems.
Cybersecurity analysts also need to make sure they’re up to date on any new attacks that are imminent and make sure they’re prepared for if or when they happen. They’ll also be responsible for spreading the word and keeping other professionals up to date about the same topics.
What can a cybersecurity analyst earn?
The above skills and factors mean that it’s often a demanding and potentially stressful job, but it can be very well paid. As of last year, the BLS states that an annual salary for cybersecurity professionals averaged out at $98,350, which makes it very highly sought after in terms of work, for graduates.
What skills does a cybersecurity analyst need?
Analysts in this field need a great combination of technical skills and ‘soft’ skills too. While also having the right qualifications and training on the job, not to mention keeping up to date with any threats is essential, cybersecurity analysts also have to make sure they’re excellent project managers too. They need to be able to assimilate data and work with a team to come up with viable solutions.
The desire to learn and evolve is essential, as is the need to communicate both with your peers, who have strong technical knowledge and those people who aren’t as tech savvy, but need to have systems explained in as clear and jargon-free way as possible.
Getting a job as a cybersecurity analyst
You know the salary, you know what’s required, the final question is, how do you find a job as a cybersecurity analyst?
While it’s well paid and jobs are plentiful the path to getting one isn’t always as clear cut as it could be.
Some people working in this field started out in IT and transitioned. Others went straight from school to study the subject then found work that way. The former is still the most common, but the latter is gaining more credence now that there are more specialized study routes available.
Solid experience is only a small part of the cybersecurity analyst equation, a good education to bachelor’s level is becoming a prerequisite, with many hiring companies stating it as a necessity.
Is a career in cybersecurity right for you?
Unfortunately, we live in a time when hackers are finding increasingly sophisticated ways to obtain information from private and public computer systems. Think about things like identity theft, stealing people’s personal details, intercepting bank accounts or medical information.
Cybercriminals use ever more inventive ways to profit from the information people don’t protect well enough. Getting into this industry is a sure-fire way of being at the cutting edge of developing security measures that can prevent these kinds of crimes happening.